Maguro-chan Wants To Be Eaten! ch3

p1
>Good evening! It's me...

>Is Nagisa-san not in? I'm hearing a lot of noises from inside, though...
>I should go check it out.
>You stay here, Maguro.

>If Nagisa's in here, she should've answered by now. Could it be a burglar...?

>Nagisa...!? Are you okay!?
>Hah
>...
>Mi... saki...

>What the hell...?

p2
>Is that...
>a child?
>But that horn is...

>...I caught that girl.
>Eh...?
>You probably wouldn't believe it... but the marlin I caught turned into a human...

>No way... You mean I've missed out on eating marlin too...?
>Nothing fazes you, I see.

p3
>I understand the situation, but why is she so pissed!?
>I'll kill you!
>That's what I want to know!

>It settled down after I caught her, so I brought her home as is...
>It's a marlin...! A bit on the small side, but I'm sure Misaki will love it.

>In the time it took to fetch my cleaver, she had turned into a human...

>Why is this happening...
>She probably did it out of self-defense.

p4
>Are you two alright?
>Did something happen...?
>Maguro...!?

>Oh no! Run for it!
>Why? Fish should be able to understand each other...
>Marlin are a tuna's natural enemy!

>Maguro...!

>Kii-chan...!
>Maguro...!
>Huh...?

p5
>You two know each other...?
>What's with the smug look...?
>Yes. We were travelling together until I came here.

>But I thought marlin were your natural enemy...?
>Kii-chan is a nice and kind girl!
>Her big brother was a very gentle marlin too...

>He got fished up by humans and she ended up all alone.
>Even if she is my natural enemy, I couldn't leave her be.

>It... wasn't me who ate her brother... was it...?
>No, I think you're fine!
>Probably...

p6
>So she came here searching for Maguro-chan and I ended up really her in...
>Is that about right?
>...
>>Ignore

>More importantly, turn me back to the way I was and return me to the sea.
>If you don't, I'll hunt you down.
>Well, I'm screwed...

>Kii-chan, I've been caught by my destined one, so I can't travel with you anymore...
>What...!?

>Then I'll hunt her too!
>What was that about her being nice and kind again!?

p7
>Don't marlin have to obey the Law of Tuna too?

>Marlin and tuna aren't related. [tn: In Japanese, tuna is "maguro" while the full name for marlin is "kajiki maguro", hence Nagisa's assumption.]
>Marlin: Istiophoridae or Xiphiidae
>Tuna: Thunnus
>That's why marlins follow the Law of Marlin.
>Is that so...?
>I thought there were the same...
>And what law is that?

>"If your eyes meet, beat them to death."
>Hmph...
>What a dangerous rule.

p8
>That's why I must follow the law and kill everyone...
>You can't! You want to go back to being a fish, right, Kii-chan?

>Nobody expected us to end up in this form.
>These two want us to go back to normal too, so we should work together.
>But they're humans, aren't they!?
>They use fake food to deceive us and eat us!

>Anglerfish do pretty much the same thing.
>Yay~
>You shouldn't speak badly of those who are just trying to live!

>...You're right...
>I'm sorry about that just now...
>Her horn turned into a cowlick...
>She's got a surprisingly honest side too.

p9
>We don't know why you two ended up in human form...
>but I'm the one who caught you.

>Until we find a way to turn you back, I'll take responsibility and look after you.
>Weren't you the one who just tried to slice me...?

>That aside, I'm Nagisa.
>Do you mind if I call you Kii-chan?
>No way.
>No way, huh...
>Why are you called Kii-chan anyway?

>Process of elimination. The other options would've had different meanings.
>>X Kaa-chan
>>X Jii-chan
>>O Kii-chan
[tn: kajiki = marlin, kaa-chan = mom, jii-chan = grandpa/old man]
>I see...

p10
>Is this really okay? I'm fine since my parents are away, but...
>Don't worry! I'll take responsibility for my own actions.

>I'd like your help too. She really is a kind girl at heart.
>Yeah, I know.

>Even when she was violent, she didn't cause any injuries.
>She did hit me with her horn, though...

>And she didn't completely turn the sliding doors into a bingo card...
>She was only off by one, though...

p11
>Okay, let's both do our best tomorrow.
>Yeah, thanks.

>Kii-chan. Be a good girl, okay?
>Alright. Don't you go getting eaten too, Maguro.

>I'm afraid I can't promise that. Tonight, I might be...
>What!?
>Enough with the jokes, Maguro.

>I'm serious, though!?
>All the more reason to stop it.
>Wh-Who do I believe...?
>Is this really gonna be okay...?
>I'm starting to lose confidence...

p12
>...And there they go.
>...

>Don't worry. We can go see her tomorrow.
>I know that...

>I see.
>She's just scared.

p13
>I know. Let me teach you something good.
>Put out your hand.
>Wh-What is it?

>This is the heart. A human's weak spot.
>If you pierced it with your horn, I'd surely be done for.

>You...

>You've got no underbelly.
>We're flat companions.
>Underbelly?

p14
>But still, things have gotten even more hectic...
>Indeed.

>God just doesn't want to let me eat tuna...
>Hah...
>That's not true. I'm here so you can eat me.

>I know that... but...
>If I ate you, that'd make me pretty lonely.

>How so? If I become your flesh, we'll be together 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
>That way of thinking is seriously scary so stop it.

p15
>Anyway, let's hurry home!
>Don't wanna catch a cold, do we?

>Ah, hey!
>Don't let go my hand!

>You're just hungry, aren't you!
>How could you tell!?
>Geez...
>If Maguro does go back to being a fish someday,
>I wonder if I'll be able to eat her...